Wow! What an incredible turnout we had at our 1st Annual Stakeholders Summit. I want to give a big “thank you” to each and every one of you for attending. It was great seeing everyone in a different atmosphere and the smiles were infectious. Those of you who weren’t able to join us, we hope to see you next year! It is wonderful people like you that enable us to put on such events. As most of you know, when I took the stage a minor glitch occurred. What are the odds? I’ve been a member of the HFG family for 7 months now and I figured initiation was over. Boy, was I wrong.

I look back at this hiccup and realize it was an opportunity to grow. Helen Keller once said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” HFG has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and create a name for myself, starting with standing in front of more than 200 people to give a speech. In life, we’re always going to come up against obstacles that challenge us to make a choice. What are you willing to sacrifice to accomplish the things you want?

I hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did and gained some deeper knowledge of our investment thinking here at HFG. For those that did attend the summit, and watched as I struggled on stage trying to explain the video, please enjoy this short clip.

REMEMBER: We do not use this math to manage your portfolio. Although, we do condone the laughter it brings.

Once again I want to give a big thank you to our clients, the staff that made the event possible, and Vitaliy for joining us. Provided below is a copy of Vitaliy’s article Putin’s World: Why Russia’s Showdown with the West Will Worsenas well as the video recording of the event. We look forward to seeing each and every one of you in the events to come!